Heartlands - Embroidery of the Cross Ends

BY THE HEARTLANDS STITCHERS

TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL

Andrew Crummy had mentioned that he wanted the cross to be “nice and textured", liked the idea that the cross could look rough and gnarly, and also asked for there to be a white outline around the square ends of the cross. The idea for those cross ends was therefore taken from a picture of an old moss-covered stone cross as well as the colours for lichens and mosses on standing stones, walls and rocks as seen in the countryside around here.

Moss-covered cross
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Moss and lichen covered stone
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Rich red lichen
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The brilliance of yellow lichen
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The embroidery of each of the four corners has a base layer of four different cord designs on top of which are interpretations of the moss and lichens on the old stone cross, where most of the light comes from the top with the bottom having relatively more shadow, and therefore the colours of both the cords and embroidery reflect this. Ann made the cords with the help of her mother and Trevor, they were stitched on by Gordie and Vicki, and Margaret, Yvonne and Raina did the rest of the embroidery.

See the intricacy of the embroidered Celtic knot work alongside its original sketch
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Detail of a different embroidered knot, based around the symbol of life, alongside its original sketch
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Detail of knot design before adding the moss and lichen elements
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Detail of knot design before adding the moss and lichen elements
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

A completed cross-end adorned with embroidered moss and lichen
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

A completed cross-end adorned with embroidered moss and lichen
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

A knot work design before adding colourful lichen and moss elements
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The finished embroidered cross-ends

Many thanks to the Heartland Stitchers for sharing with us this incredible story behind their panel, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

READ MORE STORIES FROM THE TAPESTRY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.